Case Summary and Outcome

Mazen Darwish, a Syrian journalist and recipient of UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Prize as well as the winner of the Reporters Without Borders award (2013), was arrested and jailed in February 2012. The charges against him alleged that he had promoted terrorist activities. He was released by the Syrian authorities on August 10, 2015. On August 31, 2015, Darwish was acquitted by a Syrian court.

Facts

Mazen Darwish, director of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, and two colleagues, Hani al-Zitani and Hussein Gharir, were arrested in February 2012. Prior to this, Darwish had been an outspoken critic against President’ Bashar al-Assad’s rule and the crackdown on protests in March 2011. The charges brought against Darwish alleged that he had promoted terrorist acts. Several human rights and freedom of press organizations had petitioned the Syrian government to released Darwish. Finally on August 10, 2015, Syrian authorities released Darwish.

Global FoE could not identify official legal and government records on the case and information on the case was derived from secondary sources. Global FoE notes that media outlets may not provide complete information about this case. Additional information regarding legal matters will be updated as an official source becomes available.

Decision Overview

On August 31, 2015, Darwish was acquitted by a Syrian court. Authorities stated that Darwish’s case was part of a presidential pardon.

Global FoE could not identify official legal and government records on the case and information on the case was derived from secondary sources. Global FoE notes that media outlets may not provide complete information about this case. Additional information regarding legal matters will be updated as an official source becomes available.